Bitchat Surges in Popularity in Madagascar Amidst Protests
Madagascar, with a low internet penetration rate of 21%, has seen a sudden surge in interest for a decentralized messaging app called Bitchat. This comes amidst ongoing power and water outages and related protests across the country.
The app, developed by an unknown entity, has garnered significant attention in Madagascar, with related queries like 'Bitchat download' and 'how to use Bitchat' becoming breakout topics. This interest coincides with protests that began in the capital, Antananarivo, over power and water interruptions. The demonstrations have since escalated and spread countrywide, leading to a curfew and the removal of the energy minister.
Bitchat's popularity has been meteoric. Its total downloads since launch stand at approximately 365,000, with over 21,000 added in a single recent day and over 71,000 in the past week. While not all downloads are from Madagascar, search interest for 'Bitchat' in the country surged from virtually nothing to a peak of 100 in Google Trends data over just a few days.
The sudden interest in Bitchat in Madagascar may be driven by growing global concerns about privacy and messaging censorship, especially in regions facing instability. As power and water outages continue to disrupt the country, encrypted platforms like Bitchat may offer residents a secure way to communicate and organize.
